The
United Nations Children’s Fund office in The Gambia recently celebrated the
30th anniversary of Conversation on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The
Conversation on the Rights of the Child is a United Nations human rights treaty
outlining the distinct rights of the children and it is the first legally
binding code of child rights in history.
At
a press conference to mark the 30th anniversary celebration at her office in
Bakau, Ms. Sandra Lattouf, UNICEF representative to The Gambia, reminded that
CRC was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989 and came into
force on 2 September 1990.
She
recalled that the former president of The Gambia, late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara
signed the instrument of ratification on 3 August 1990 and President Adama
Barrow and his government renewed the pledge on 25 September 2019 at the UN
General Assembly.
“Today
we have a child from the Children’s National Assembly who will speak on behalf
of children in The Gambia at the UN. The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to
promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organisation
does,” she said.
Ms.
Lattouf affirmed that UNICEF’s work is guided by the principle of conversation
on the Rights of the Child (CRC), saying these principles represent the
underlying requirement for every child to realise all their rights including
the best interest of the child, the right to non-discrimination, the right to
life survival and development and the right to be heard.
The
creation of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the
Children’s National Assembly of The Gambia, she said, brings so much hope for
children of this country more importantly children are finding their voice out
against violations and standing up for their rights.
Lattouf
challenged all to bridge the equality gap between the rural and urban areas and
to make sure that the child in Fatoto has equal chance and facilities to pursue
their dream as their peers in Banjul.
“Let’s
ensure that the child in Wuli gets the same quality health services as the
child in Kanifing and let’s work together to build communities that accept no
defence for rape, communities that understand that no matter t the
circumstances rape can’t be justified”.
She
indicated that after 30 years of the CRC, children are already wondering what
the next 30 years will look like for childhood in The Gambia.
She
noted that children are not just waiting for action from the government, but
that they are making demands for action and clearly defining the future they
want.
These
demands, she added, are being put together by children themselves in a
declaration called: “The Gambia We Want” which they submit to the government of
The Gambia on Saturday 23 November 2019.
